Syria might hide behind BRICS wall

Syria, Damascus: Syrians shout slogans as they demonstrate in support of President Bashar al-Assad in central Damascus on August 23, 2011.(AFP Photo / Joseph Eid) / AFP

BRICS nations will try to prevent a Libya-type scenario playing out in Syria. This commitment has been outlined by Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov.

The minister’s comments on behalf of BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – came after a meeting with his Brazilian counterpart, Antonio Patriota, on Sunday.

“We strongly believe it is unacceptable to instigate the Syrian opposition to continue boycotting suggestions to start a dialogue,” Sergey Lavrov said. “This is a call for a repeat of the Libyan scenario. The BRICS nations will not allow this to happen. The UN Security Council will not tolerate how its resolutions are being implemented.”

Lavrov said the UN Security Council should demand an end to the violence in Syria – no matter who it arises from – and move all parties into dialogue.

On Saturday, Russia sharply criticized the latest EU sanctions against Syria, calling them harmful and ineffective in solving the crisis. Lavrov then said that Russia is strongly opposed to any “unilateral sanctions.”

On September 2nd, the European Union imposed an oil embargo on Syria, which delivered a crushing blow to Assad’s regime, as the EU was buying 95 per cent of the country’s crude oil.

Europe also warned of further steps to force President Assad to end the five-month crackdown on protesters, which according to UN figures, has claimed more than 2,000 lives.